Public Hearing on Proposed Repeal of Rezoning in Calgary. I got a letter from the City explaining the upcoming Public Hearing, and telling me how I can participate. The options for Council are to repeal the existing bylaw in full, or amend it to make it slightly less higher density (pic attached for comparison). I used the submission form to object, and then sent a longer direct email to all the councillors. (I have to admit that I asked Grok for help on this, staying polite and respectful but adamant that I want a repeal.)

"I am writing as a concerned resident of Calgary to respectfully urge City Council to fully repeal the citywide rezoning changes approved in May 2024 (effective August 2024) and restore the low-density residential zones (such as R-C1 and R-C2) that existed prior to those amendments. I strongly support the proposed bylaw that would bring back those pre-2024 zones citywide, while appropriately grandfathering properties that have already received development, building, or subdivision approvals under the current R-CG, R-G, or related districts.

"The 2024 rezoning represented a monumental shift in Calgary's land use framework. By applying a blanket change to residential areas across the entire city—primarily re-designating single-family and low-density zones to Residential – Grade-Oriented Infill (R-CG)—it fundamentally altered what could be built in established neighborhoods without individual public input or council approval for many projects. This allowed for greater density, including rowhouses, townhouses, and multiple units per lot (potentially up to eight units with secondary suites), across vast swaths of the city.

"While I recognize the intent was to increase housing supply and affordability amid growth pressures, the process and outcome did not adequately reflect the will of Calgarians. The public hearing leading to the 2024 decision was the longest in the city's history, spanning nearly four weeks with over 700 presentations and thousands of written submissions. Reports indicate that objections—both in-person and written—far outnumbered expressions of support, with a significant majority of participants voicing concerns about impacts on neighborhood character, property values, infrastructure strain, privacy, parking, and tree canopy.

"Despite this clear public sentiment, a council of 15 members (11 of whom are no longer in office) proceeded with the blanket rezoning. This raises a fundamental question about the purpose of zoning itself: if long-standing, community-backed rules protecting low-density residential character can be overturned citywide by a small group of elected officials—over strenuous and widespread objections—what meaningful protections remain for residents who have invested in their homes based on those rules?

"Zoning exists to provide stability, predictability, and community input into how neighborhoods evolve. A blanket, top-down change of this scale undermines that foundation. It overrides the granular, context-specific planning that has historically guided Calgary's growth, replacing it with a one-size-fits-all approach that many feel disregards local character and resident preferences.

"I appreciate that the current council has listened to ongoing concerns, as evidenced by the December 2025 vote (13-2) to initiate the repeal process. At the March 23, 2026, hearing, council faces a clear choice:

"Approve the proposed repeal bylaw to fully restore pre-2024 low-density zones (with grandfathering for approved projects). This would honor the original intent of zoning, return predictability to neighborhoods, and respect the democratic input from the 2024 hearings where opposition was predominant. It would allow thoughtful, site-specific development through established processes rather than unchecked blanket permissions.

"Only amend the current rules (e.g., reducing maximum units in rowhouses from four to three, lowering density caps from 75 to 60 units per hectare, or adding minor restrictions). While such tweaks might mitigate some issues, they would still retain the core problem: a citywide override of low-density protections without sufficient public mandate. This half-measure would perpetuate uncertainty and fail to address the fundamental concerns raised by so many residents.

"I respectfully ask council to choose the full repeal option. Calgary's neighborhoods thrive on a balance of growth and preservation. Restoring the pre-2024 framework would reaffirm that changes to residential character should come through transparent, community-responsive processes—not arbitrary blanket decisions.

"Thank you for your time and consideration of this important matter. I trust council will weigh the overwhelming public feedback from both 2024 and now, and act to protect the livability and stability that make Calgary's communities special."